Question:
Hi, I am 22 yr old female. I have been in 5 bad car accidents and one motorcycle accident since the beginning of 2002. the most recent was jan 2007, I fell asleep, ran off the interstate and hit a tree at 85+ mph....I have been treating for pain since the 1st accident but its only been since last year that I HAD to seek pain management. the drs have me on heavy narcotics (less now than before per my request)...I hate it because people mt age are stereotyped...any I asked if there were any alternatives.. all my drs said no, no surguries.I asked about fusion they also said no to that cause my back problems will get worse when Im older ( I have 3 herniated discs in my neck and 2 in my lumbar and something wrong w/ the sacral area. The dr said I have degenerative disk disease do to all the trauma and theres no way to stop it)....so yesterday I went in and he said he has an altenative for me.I was shocked. H e mentioned facet joint injections which I'm pretty sure I had before. But then he said if it helps he can do RFL radiofrequency lesioning...I dont really understand what it is...I just know that it has to do with nerves. Does anyone one know what it is or has anyone had it done? Im worried that if something went wrong I will feel worse or be paralyzed or something.
any info would be really appreciated.
Thanks!
mel
Answer:
Man and I thought I was in bad shape ,85mph and your here ? No kidding your looking for advise and you came to a good place for it. You said you had Facet injection ? Did they relieve your pain ? i had them also , but they didn't help me..Radiofrequency is where they burn the nerve that's being pressured ,it kind of kill's the nerve , but it grows back in a while but if your gonna get relief thats why your doing it..Don't worry about people talking about you..Sounds like you need somthing for your pain.
I hope I answered your questions.
Answer:
The injections did not really help. I was wondering is there a possibility that the nerve wont grow back right and I'll have nerve problems too (with RFL).
Even alot of drs were skeptical about giving me painkillers since I'm at that "party age". I dont even drink that much and never did anything illiegal. I hate being called a "drug user" by people though...since the injections didnt help you. is that why they didnt do the rfl?....My dr wants me to give the injections another try, so he can do it.
I hit the tree and was unconscious for 3 days but was discharged from the hospital that night and when I woke up I was really sore all over, especially since my head was hit in 3 different places.
Answer:
Hi! I have had the radiofrequency lesioning done, and it has helped a lot with my lumbar pain. If you try the facet shots, and they help for a short period of time, and then wear off, that would indicate to your doctor that RF may work for you. Then he would test your pain nerves with lidocaine, then they do the RF. It is basically burning the tips of the pain nerves that serve the facet joints. These nerves do not have any other function than to signal pain from these joints (so you don't have to worry about these burned nerves affecting other things). For me, it lasts about 8 months, and I have had the procedure repeated. For the procedure they give you light sedation and it takes about 45 minutes. Hope that helps! Take care, Kera4
Answer:
Party age ? I started at 15 ,keg parties and stuff ,good thing because I was married at a young age 21 ! I don't drink anymore.
Anyway if the injections don't work don't do it. Try them again and if they work do it..Kera said it's not bad and if you could get any relief why not..I have heard someone saying about the nerve growing in a different position and cause more pain but I'm not sure..sorry
The injections did not really help. I was wondering is there a possibility that the nerve wont grow back right and I'll have nerve problems too (with RFL).
Even alot of drs were skeptical about giving me painkillers since I'm at that "party age". I dont even drink that much and never did anything illiegal. I hate being called a "drug user" by people though...since the injections didnt help you. is that why they didnt do the rfl?....My dr wants me to give the injections another try, so he can do it.
I hit the tree and was unconscious for 3 days but was discharged from the hospital that night and when I woke up I was really sore all over, especially since my head was hit in 3 different places.